Reflecting on a dramatic, infuriating but ultimately joyous night at Anfield, he veered away from the obvious for a second and focused on an individual. Jon Flanagan.

“My man of the match,” Klopp said. “He was great.”

It was a sentiment expressed with feeling, and little wonder. There were plenty of heroes in red last night – unlikely ones too – but ‘Flanno’ more than deserved a special mention.

Boy how he’d waited for a night like this. All those long days in the gym while his teammates were out on the field. All those doubts. Having to sit there, helpless, while the team he left fell apart at the seams, while Liverpool went from challengers to also-rans. It would have all felt worth it on Tuesday night, make no mistake.

Not since May 2014 had Flanagan started a competitive game for the Reds. Yet here he was, 626 days later, thrown in at the deep end and keeping his head well above water. No wonder the Kop sang his name.

He’s used to being tested, this lad. Remember his professional debut? April 2011 at Anfield, against a Manchester City containing Yaya Toure, Carlos Tevez, Edin Dzeko and James Milner. Top performance, clean sheet, thank you very much.

He dropped off the radar somewhat following that early promise. He didn’t make a single league appearance between April 2012 and November 2013, but when he the call came from Brendan Rodgers, it was against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. A fortnight later, he was starting at left back at Goodison Park, and excelling.

That performance catapulted him from the fringes to the centre of a title-challenging team. When fit, Flanagan started thereafter. Despite playing “out of position” on the left, he was as consistent a performer as any during that thrilling run-in. His form elevated him to the brink of England’s World Cup squad.

And then came the fall. A knee problem sustained during pre-season in 2014 would require surgery. Flanagan had looked to be close to a return by April 2015, but scans of the knee flagged up a further issue, and he went under the knife again. The diagnosis was another six months out, minimum.

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He signed a one-year contract soon after, highlighting the doubt surrounding his situation. How he made light of those doubts on Tuesday night.

“To play 105 minutes for the first time since – you know it better than me – May 2014, right?” Klopp said. “So it’s unbelievable making this match.”

Klopp revealed that Flanagan had told him ‘I could go on’ when substituted for Jordon Ibe at half-time in extra time, but in many ways it was a miracle he had lasted so long. Friendly run outs for the U21s are one thing, as are FA Cup cameo appearances, but this was a League Cup semi final. Wembley on the line.

He let nobody down. The simplicity of his game has always been a strength, and it stood out a mile in a Liverpool side that too often forgets to do the basics correctly. Positionally, he was good, he competed physically with Marko Arnautovic, and tackled when he needed to. The sight of him berating colleagues after errors, too, was welcome. Liverpool need someone to bang heads together at times.

There was rustiness in some of his passing, and there was a booking for an ill-timed challenge on Ibrahim Afellay. But given its proper context, this was a remarkable performance. He certainly outshone Alberto Moreno, on the opposite flank. How long before he’s challenging the Spaniard for a place in the team, too?

If only he’d taken a better touch in front of the Kop in the second half. He’d have blown the roof off the place.

How the home fans responded. Football may well be a global game, but there will always be a special place in supporters’ hearts for ‘one of their own.’ Flanagan, born a stone’s throw from Anfield and with an accent thicker than Garston mud, couldn’t be any more ‘Liverpool’ if he tried.

He positively bounded out of Anfield after the game, pausing only to send a few words the way of Joe Allen, who was conducting a mixed zone interview pitchside.

“Get in Joey lad!” he smiled. “Wembley!”

Wembley indeed. Get your money on Flanno to start in the final. And if he does, he won’t let anyone down, you can be sure of that.